The History of the Reformation of the Church of Scotland

Lastly, we have to observe this manner of speaking, where the Prophet ⟨p. 121⟩saith, that The earth shall disclose her blood: In which words the Prophet would accuse the cruelty of those that dare so unmercifully and violently force from the Breasts of the Earth, the dearest Children of God, and cruelly cut their Throats in her bosom, who is by God appointed the common mother of mankind, so that she unwillingly is compelled to open her mouth and receive their blood.

Lastly, we have to observe this manner of speaking, where the Prophet ⟨p. 121⟩saith, that The earth shall disclose her blood: In which words the Prophet would accuse the crueltie of those that dare so unmercifully and violently force from the Breasts of the Earth, the dearest Children of God, and cruelly cut their Throats in her bosome, who is by God appointed the common mother of mankinde, so that she unwillingly is compelled to open her mouth and receive their blood.

If such Tyranny were used against any natural woman, as violently to pull her infant from her Breasts, cut the Throat of it in her own bosom, and compel her to receive the blood of her dear Child in her own mouth, all Nations would hold the fact so abominable, that the like had never been done in the course of nature; no less wickedness commit they that shed the Blood of Gods Children upon the face of their common mother the earth (as I said before:) But be of good courage (O little and despised Flock of Christ Jesus) for he that seeth your grief hath power to revenge it, He will not suffer one tear of yours to fall, but it shall be kept and reserved in his Bottle, till the fullness thereof be poured down from Heaven upon those that caused you to weep and mourn; this your merciful God (I say) will not suffer your blood for ever to be covered with the earth, nay, the flaming fires that have licked up the blood of any of our Brethren, the earth that hath been defiled with it, I say, with the blood of Gods Children; for otherwise, to shed the blood of the cruel blood-shedders, is to purge the land from blood, and as it were to sanctify it; The earth (I say) shall purge her self of it, and show it before the face of God; yea, the Beasts, Fowls, and other Creatures whatsoever, shall be compelled to render that which they have received, be it Flesh, Blood or Bones that appertained to thy Children, O Lord, which altogether thou shalt glorify, according to thy promise made to us in our Lord and Saviour JESUS CHRIST thy well beloved Son, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost be honour, praise, and glory for ever and ever. Amen